Visit from president Poroshenko

Statement by Prime Minister Erna Solberg at a joint press conference with the Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko in Oslo, 18 October 2016.

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Dear Mr. President, ladies and gentleman,

First of all, it is a great pleasure for me to welcome president Poroshenko to Norway.

As many of you may know, this is the first ever visit to Norway of a Ukrainian head of state.

This visit is a clear demonstration of the importance we both attach to further deepening our cooperation.

Over the past few years our bilateral relations have developed significantly. And today we have issued a Joint Declaration that sets out our common goals for the cooperation.

In our discussions today we have taken stock of our bilateral relations. I have confirmed Norway’s support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. Norway will continue to stand united with our allies and partners in response to the continued challenges to Ukraine’s sovereignty.

We took note today of the progress and accomplishments in Ukraine’s reform agenda. Ukraine is moving forward.

We also agree that there is much more to be done and that this requires strong political commitment and clear leadership. Norway wants to be a reliable partner for Ukraine, and we will continue our support to Ukraine’s reform efforts. A politically and economically stable Ukraine is in the interest of Norwegian and European security.

We have also been discussing the situation in Eastern Ukraine. We remain concerned about the lack of security in Donbass. We are also concerned about the lack of humanitarian access. Without a functioning ceasefire, political progress towards a settlement is hard to achieve. The Minsk agreements contain many of the necessary elements for a settlement, but they must be implement in full and in good faith by all parties.